Christmas in Vietnam: A New Holiday Tradition in Vietnam

Local people often gather at churches to celebrate the Christmas holiday

Some people celebrate Christmas for religious reasons and others celebrate for traditions and festivities with those near and dear. In Vietnam, Christmas has increasingly become a widely celebrated holiday, even though the majority of the population is not Christian. Combining a unique blend of Western influence and local traditions, Christmas in Vietnam offers a mix of festive cheer adopted from the West along with local customs blending into modern interpretations of the holiday. In cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, Christmas has become a yearly tradition marked by decorations, shopping promotions, and social gatherings. Did anyone say Christmas party?

The Growing Popularity of Christmas in Vietnam

Although Christmas is not an official public holiday in Vietnam, the holiday season has gained significant popularity in recent decades. This can largely be attributed to the country’s rapid urbanization, globalization, and Western influences. The children have embraced Christmas as an occasion for fun, socializing, and enjoying traditional festivities.

Xom Dao - where the holiday hustle meets the festive fun

In Vietnam, Christmas is mostly celebrated in urban areas, where there are large groups of expats as well as tourists.

Christmas Decorations and Public Celebrations

One of the most noticeable aspects of Christmas in Vietnam is the public display of decorations and lights. In major cities, shopping malls, hotels, and even restaurants go all out with Christmas-themed decorations, transforming public spaces into winter wonderlands, complete with artificial snow, Christmas trees, and colorful lights. Even though Vietnam has a tropical climate and Christmas falls in the middle of the hot season, these festive displays create a cheerful contrast to the usual surroundings.

Celebrating and soaking in the holiday magic with Vespa A Go Go in Ho Chi Minh city

In Ho Chi Minh City, the area around the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in District 1 becomes a focal point of Christmas celebrations. The cathedral, which is a major landmark of the city, is beautifully illuminated with colorful lights, and crowds gather in the evenings to admire the decorations. Similarly, the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the surrounding areas are filled with Christmas lights, creating the magic of the holiday season.

Apart from just decorating, Christmas markets and fairs pop up in cities, offering everything from festive treats and holiday-themed products to music and entertainment. These events often combine Christmas elements with Vietnamese traditions, making them a fun fusion of cultures.

Celebrating Christmas in Vietnamese Homes

For many Vietnamese Christians, Christmas is a religious event marked by attending church services, spending time with family, and reflecting on the meaning of the holiday - very similar to Western traditions. Christmas Eve is particularly important, and many families will gather at home for a special meal or to attend a midnight Mass. In larger cities, Christian communities organize Masses and other religious services that are open to the public, and some services are even conducted in English to accommodate foreigners living in Vietnam.

Living the festive dream - how expats celebrate Christmas in Vietnam

Christmas would never be complete without… you guessed it, FOOD!. Many Vietnamese families prepare special dishes for the occasion. While it’s unlikely to find a turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes on the table, local variations on festive foods have emerged. For example, Vietnamese might prepare gà nướng (roasted chicken), a more localized take on holiday meals.

In larger cities, you can find a mix of Western-style and Vietnamese holiday foods if you’re looking for a more cultural twist to Christmas. Many restaurants offer special Christmas menus, including roast turkey, Christmas ham, and Western-style cakes and pastries, catering to both locals and expats.

Christmas Shopping and Festive Sales

Did someone say Christmas sales? Very much so like the West, shopping malls and department stores launch holiday sales and promotions, attracting crowds of shoppers looking for the perfect holiday gift. Many Vietnamese consumers buy Christmas gifts for family and friends, and while the concept of gift-giving is not as deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture as it is in some Western countries, it has been steadily growing into a new tradition in Vietnam.

From twinkling lights to festive ornaments, Saigon’s streets come alive with Christmas haul

Gift shops, both local and international, offer a wide array of items such as toys, electronics, clothes, and imported chocolates during the holiday season. International chains like Starbucks and McDonald’s also get into the holiday spirit by offering limited-edition drinks, and special promotions aimed at attracting both local customers and the large expat community living in the country.

Christmas for Expats and Tourists

While a good handful of expats return to their home countries to celebrate the holidays with family, for those to stay in Vietnam over the festive period, Christmas is a time to reconnect with familiar traditions and celebrate with friends and family. Many expats find solace in the fact that there are Western-style Christmas services, events, and social gatherings.

Like many other holidays, Christmas is the best time to gather around and enjoy the vibe

Restaurants, bars, and hotels in Vietnam’s main cities often host special Christmas events, including festive dinners, themed parties, and holiday brunches, to cater to expats looking to celebrate Christmas in the way they are accustomed to back home. These events typically feature traditional Western dishes, Christmas-themed cocktails, and live music, providing a sense of familiarity in a foreign country.

Many international schools and organizations hold Christmas events, including charity drives, and pop up shopping markets, making it easier for expats to enjoy the holiday season with a community atmosphere.

Join a Ride with Vespa A Go Go and Take in the Festive SItes!

What’s better than cruising the Saigon streets on Vespas this Christmas?

If you ride with us on a tour with us during Christmas in Vietnam you’ll be able to take in the colorful and vibrant decorations that line the city streets. While it may not carry the same religious or cultural weight as it does in countries with large religious populations, it has become an occasion for people of all backgrounds to enjoy the festive spirit. Be sure to sit back, relax, and take in the blend of Western and local holiday traditions!

Travel Tips